What is Node.js?

Node.js is open source Javascript which enables user to run scripts from server side. It dynamically produce web page before it gets loaded in the user’s web browser. Consequently, Node.js has become a foundation which allows web application development to unify the code around a single platform.

Overview

Node.js allows the use of javascript to create web server and networking tools. Node.js application can run on many servers such as Linux, Microsoft Windows and any other which can compile to javascript. The functions in Node.js are designed to be non-blocking which is the major difference between PHP and Node.js.

Installing Node.js for PHP Web Development

Enlightenment from Node.js Gurus

To become a best Node.js developer of PHP development domain, you definitely need to get hands on best practices with Node.js. This post will further help you to take your Node.js skills to the next level.

7 Node.js best practices for PHP Web Development

1. New project – use npm script

Stop writing bash scripts when you can arrange them on top with npm scripts and Node. E.G., npm run build, start and test Npm scripts are like the one source of actuality when Node developers are starting new project.

Considering that npm scripts have pre and post hooks, you can get to a very sophisticated level of automation:

2. Ensure security – use env Vars

Ensure the security of the sensitive data even at early stage of project by using env vars. In addition, some libraries and frameworks will pull in info like NODE_ENV to modify their behavior. Set it to production. Set your MONGO_URI and API_KEY values as well. You can create a shell file (e.g. start.sh) and add it to .gitignore

3. Fast and brilliant Node.js – Event Loop

The powerful and smart event loop is the one which makes Node.js so fast and brilliant. The time would be wasted after waiting for input and output tasks to complete in absence of Event Loop.

If you need to perform something CPU-intensive (e.g., computation, hashing of passwords, or compressing), then in addition to making of new processes for those CPU-tasks, you might want to explore the deferring of the task with setImmediate() or setTimeout() — the code in their callbacks will continue on the next event loop cycle. nextTick() works on the same cycle contrary to the name.

4. Good documentation – Good naming convention

It has always been said by Gurus to use the best name convention within your knowledge. Because good names serve as a good documentation.

In the same fashion, file names must correctly reflect what is the purpose of the code inside. If you take a look at the lib folder of Node (GitHub link) which has all the core modules bundled with the platform, then you will see clear naming of the files/modules (even if you are not very familiar with all the core modules):

The internal modules are marked with an underscore (_debugger.js, _http_agent.js, _http_client.js) just like methods and variable in the code. This helps to warn developers that this is an internal interface and if you are using it, you are on your own — don’t complain if it gets refactored or even removed.

5. Don’t use the Javascript

Even with ES6 and the two features added by ES2016/ES7, JavaScript still has its quirks.

You need just a few macros (macros allow you to build exactly the language you want), not an entire new language, then consider Sweet.js which will do exactly that — allow you to write code which generates code.

6. Cluster your Web app

Since the node runtime is restricted to a single CPU core and about 1.5 GB of reminiscence, deploying a non-clustered node app on a big server is a enormous waste of resources.

To take talents of multiple cores and reminiscence beyond 1.5 GB, bake Cluster support into your app. Suppose you are working on a single system on small hardware in today, Cluster offers you flexibility for the future.

Testing out is the best option to check the best number of clustered processes for your app, but it’s good to begin with the reasonable defaults provided with the aid of your platform, with a easy fallback, eg:

const CONCURRENCY = process.env.WEB_CONCURRENCY || 1;

7. Git the main bits

Most apps are composed of both indispensable records and generated records. When using source control system like git, you must hinder monitoring whatever that’s generated.

For example, your node app typically has a node_modules directory for dependencies, which you should hold out of git.

So long as every dependency is listed in package deal.Json, any one can create a working neighborhood reproduction of your app – together with node_modules – by using jogging npm install.

Tracking generated records results in unnecessary noise and bloat in your git historical past. Worse, given that some dependencies are native and ought to be compiled, checking them in makes your app less moveable given that you’ll be offering builds from only a single, and probably unsuitable, architecture.

For the same reason, you shouldn’t determine in bower_components or the compiled property from grunt builds.

In case you’ve accidentally checked in node_modules earlier than, that’s okay. That you may take away it like this:

By means of ignoring these useless records, your repositories will likely be smaller, your commits can be easier, and you’ll hinder merge conflicts within the generated directories.

Conclusion:

The final best thing is to use Node.js best practices and master the fundamentals. Now go and grind the code by learning proper ways. And yes, if you have some good knowledge to share regarding this, do not hesitate to put your thoughts in the below comment box. Follow us @letsnurture on Twitter to get a chance to chat with us. You can anytime raise your query by filling this inquiry form.